Whether you’re going for a sandwich or to shop to prepare an amazingly fresh meal, this market is unmatched!
Geno / BBGIYou love Florida weather. But if you miss all the Italian markets from up north, there's no better place to get a taste of home than Mazzaro's in St. Pete. There's an enormous wine and cheese room, a bakery, a cappuccino bar, fresh pasta, and imported oils, sauces and spices you can't find anywhere else. However, the big draw for me is that #20 sandwich - the Hot Italian with salami, pepperoni, lettuce, tomato, provolone, banana peppers & Italian dressing. It's always worth the trip. But the pros know when to go. If you visit Mazzaro's during lunch hour during snowbird season, you're going to wait and wait and wait. But this is a game changer.
This thing really should cost way more than it does. It's a $10+ sub and it's only about $7.
Until now, you had to take a ticket to wait for your turn to order, place your order and then wait near the crowded deli case area with other hungry customers for the crew to finish your masterpiece.
Here's the good news! A new online ordering service is making its debut at Mazzaro's. The Italian market made the announcement on social media this week. You'd think this would've been done during the pandemic when many restaurants shifted to takeout service. I wonder if competition from the newly-opened DeCosmo Italian Market in Pinellas Park prompted the decision.
The Mazzaro's online ordering platform lets you order hot sandwiches, cold sandwiches, soups, salads, sides and some desserts are available. And yes, it does let you customize your sandwich. But if you need to do some shopping, grocery items will still require an in-store visit. Mazzaro's says your order will be ready for pick up in as soon as 30 minutes. But they insist you enter via their patio located between 22nd & 23rd Ave. on 29th street.
When I first found Mazzaro's Italian Market in St. Pete, I knew Tampa Bay would be my permanent home. It reminds me of all the Italian shops and delis I love in the North End of Boston. Normally, I get the #20, which is the Hot Italian sub. I've had dozens of them. But on this visit, I decided to finally try something new.
If you've never been to Mazzaro's, shame on you. I mean seriously. This gem feels like a trip to Italy without needing to find your passport. A wine and cheese room, fresh pasta, deli, bakery... it's enormous.
I always get the #20, but on this visit, I would take the #7 for a test drive.
Time to unwrap this masterpiece.
It was PHENOMENAL. Might be my new favorite. I don't know. The #20 is really good.
OMG. My eyes say it all. Only complaint is next time I might ask for extra sundried tomato. They are tangy and make it magic.
Now it's was time for a visit to the bakery. Lots of good options. This was my runner up choice. So what DID I pick? Keep going!
I didn't try one but I was intrigued. So what DID I get?
I ended up choosing none of those... I went with the lemon cupcake. And it didn't disappoint. Nothing ever does at Mazzaro's.
I also brought home a tomato and cheese focaccia bread. This thing was as long as my arm and it was only $4.
So good.
